Chicago Battery & Assault Charge Expungement
A battery or assault conviction doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
Having an assault or battery charge on your record can make life difficult—impacting your job opportunities, housing options, and peace of mind—but it doesn’t have to define your future. Our attorneys have extensive experience with Illinois expungement and record sealing and can help you explore your options for clearing your record and moving forward with confidence.
Everyone makes mistakes. We’re a judgment-free law firm dedicated to helping you rebuild your future and get the second chance you deserve.
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Can you get assault charges expunged?
In Illinois, expunging or sealing a battery or assault charge depends on the specific circumstances of your case. If you received supervision on your battery or assault case after a plea of guilty or finding of guilty, you are still eligible for an expungement as long as your supervision was terminated successfully.
However, there’s still hope. Even if full expungement isn’t an option, many battery or assault convictions may still qualify for record sealing, which can limit who can see your criminal history. Sealing offers many of the same privacy benefits as expungement, helping you move forward with better opportunities for employment, housing, and peace of mind.
Because the laws are complex, it’s best to speak with an experienced Illinois expungement and record sealing attorney who can review your case and explain your options.
Sealing vs Expunging Battery or Assault Charges
The main difference between expungement and record sealing lies in how your criminal record is handled and who can access it:
Expungement completely erases the record as if it never happened. Once a record is expunged, it’s destroyed or removed from public and most government databases. It won’t show up on background checks.
Record sealing hides the record from the public but does not erase it. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access it, but it won’t appear in standard background checks for jobs, housing, or most other purposes.
In short:
Expungement = erased.
Sealing = hidden.
Both help you move forward, but expungement offers a cleaner slate.
Can you get assault charges expunged?
In Illinois, expunging or sealing a battery or assault charge depends on the specific circumstances of your case. If you received supervision on your battery or assault case after a plea of guilty or finding of guilty, you are still eligible for an expungement as long as your supervision was terminated successfully.
However, there’s still hope. Even if full expungement isn’t an option, many battery or assault convictions may still qualify for record sealing, which can limit who can see your criminal history. Sealing offers many of the same privacy benefits as expungement, helping you move forward with better opportunities for employment, housing, and peace of mind.
Because the laws are complex, it’s best to speak with an experienced Illinois expungement and record sealing attorney who can review your case and explain your options.
Sealing vs Expunging Battery or Assault Charges
The main difference between expungement and record sealing lies in how your criminal record is handled and who can access it:
Expungement completely erases the record as if it never happened. Once a record is expunged, it’s destroyed or removed from public and most government databases. It won’t show up on background checks.
Record sealing hides the record from the public but does not erase it. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access it, but it won’t appear in standard background checks for jobs, housing, or most other purposes.
In short:
Expungement = erased.
Sealing = hidden.
Both help you move forward, but expungement offers a cleaner slate.
How to
Expunge or Seal a Battery or Assault Record in Illinois
If you’re ready to move forward and leave a battery or assault charge in the past, the process of expunging or sealing your record in Illinois involves several important steps. It may seem intimidating at first, but understanding the process—and having an experienced attorney by your side—can make it much smoother and more successful.
In most Illinois counties, the expungement or sealing process takes about 4 to 6 months from the time your petition is filed until your record is officially cleared or sealed from public access. However, this timeline can vary depending on the county’s caseload, whether objections are filed, and the specific details of your case.
Starting the process early helps ensure the best chance for a faster resolution and a clean slate.
If you’re seeking information about battery or assault expungement or record sealing, take advantage of our 100% Free Consultation. Our attorneys will review your case, explain your eligibility, and guide you through every step toward restoring your record—and your peace of mind.
How to
Expunge or Seal a Battery or Assault Record in Illinois
If you’re ready to move forward and leave a battery or assault charge in the past, the process of expunging or sealing your record in Illinois involves several important steps. It may seem intimidating at first, but understanding the process—and having an experienced attorney by your side—can make it much smoother and more successful.
In most Illinois counties, the expungement or sealing process takes about 4 to 6 months from the time your petition is filed until your record is officially cleared or sealed from public access. However, this timeline can vary depending on the county’s caseload, whether objections are filed, and the specific details of your case.
Starting the process early helps ensure the best chance for a faster resolution and a clean slate.
If you’re seeking information about battery or assault expungement or record sealing, take advantage of our 100% Free Consultation. Our attorneys will review your case, explain your eligibility, and guide you through every step toward restoring your record—and your peace of mind.
01.
File Your Petition: Begin by filing a formal petition for expungement or record sealing with the appropriate Illinois Circuit Court. This petition requests that your battery or assault record be cleared or hidden from public access.
02.
Review Period: After filing, the State’s Attorney’s Office and other relevant agencies have 60 days to review your petition. During this time, they may approve your request or file an objection based on the details of your case.
03.
Court Decision: If no objections are raised, the judge may grant your petition without requiring a hearing. If an objection is filed, a court hearing will be scheduled to review your case, which may extend the overall timeline.
04.
Record Clearance or Sealing: Once the court approves your petition, agencies such as the Illinois State Police and the arresting law enforcement department have 60 days to implement the order. After this period, your battery or assault record will be expunged or sealed from public view, helping you move forward with a clean slate.
01.
File Your Petition: Begin by filing a formal petition for expungement or record sealing with the appropriate Illinois Circuit Court. This petition requests that your battery or assault record be cleared or hidden from public access.
02.
Review Period: After filing, the State’s Attorney’s Office and other relevant agencies have 60 days to review your petition. During this time, they may approve your request or file an objection based on the details of your case.
03.
Court Decision: If no objections are raised, the judge may grant your petition without requiring a hearing. If an objection is filed, a court hearing will be scheduled to review your case, which may extend the overall timeline.
04.
Record Clearance or Sealing: Once the court approves your petition, agencies such as the Illinois State Police and the arresting law enforcement department have 60 days to implement the order. After this period, your battery or assault record will be expunged or sealed from public view, helping you move forward with a clean slate.
FAQs: Expunging a Battery or Assault Record in Illinois
Considering clearing your battery or assault record? You’re not alone—many people want to move forward but aren’t sure what’s possible under Illinois law. Below are some of the most common questions about battery and assault expungement or record sealing to help you understand your options, eligibility, and what to expect from the process.
Yes. Under Illinois law, simple battery is classified as a violent offense because it involves physical contact or harm to another person. Even if no serious injury occurred, the act of intentional contact makes it a violent crime in the eyes of the court.
That said, not all battery cases are treated equally. Simple battery is often charged as a Class A misdemeanor, while aggravated battery—which may involve a weapon, injury, or a protected victim (like a police officer or teacher)—is a felony with harsher penalties. While violent felony convictions cannot be expunged, some misdemeanor or dismissed battery cases may still qualify for record sealing. Speaking with an experienced Illinois expungement attorney can help clarify your eligibility and next steps.
In Illinois, assault and battery are two separate criminal offenses that are often confused. Assault refers to the threat or attempt to cause harm that makes another person reasonably fear being physically injured. Battery, on the other hand, involves actual physical contact that causes harm or is considered insulting or provoking—such as hitting, pushing, or striking someone.
Both charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the incident and whether weapons, injuries, or prior convictions are involved. Understanding the difference is important when determining eligibility for expungement or record sealing, since battery—especially when aggravated—is usually treated more severely under Illinois law.
Once a record is sealed, it is hidden from most public and private background checks, including those run by employers, landlords, and financial institutions. Only law enforcement and certain government agencies can still view sealed records. For most practical purposes, a sealed record gives you the same opportunities as someone without a criminal history—allowing you to move forward without your past holding you back.
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